The early version of iOS 10 is out — here are all the new features coming to your iPhone

Apple last month unveiled iOS 10, the brand new version of the software that powers the iPhone and iPad. Apple called it "the biggest release ever for our users."

And starting Thursday, you can access an early version of the iOS 10 software. Sign up here to try the public beta version of iOS 10 — that said, we highly recommend not downloading it to your primary device, since the software still has plenty of bugs. These will be fixed over time, but if you have a secondary iOS device you're not using, we'd prefer you download the beta software to that instead.

If you don't want to download the beta version of iOS 10, but you still want to know what to expect, don't worry — we've got you covered. Here are all of the new features in iOS 10 that you need to know about:

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An enhanced lockscreen with more advanced notifications.

Apple

You can answer emails, see a full iMessage conversation, and add events to your calendar without unlocking your device.

A new "Today" view under the search bar to the left of the home screen contains interactive widgets. ESPN was demoed giving sports scores and video playback from a game through its widget.

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Third party apps like WeChat can work with Siri.

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For the first time, Apple is giving app developers the ability to integrate with Siri. That means apps like WeChat and Spotify can be controlled with your voice.

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Siri is using machine learning to give intelligent suggestions while you're in a conversation.

Apple

So if someone sends you an iMessage asking you where you are, Siri can suggest that you send that person your current location without you typing anything. Intelligent suggestions also work for contacts, calendar availability, and more.

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The Photos app is getting a lot smarter.

Apple

Apple is using computer vision and machine learning to build facial recognition into the Photos app.

That means Photos can build albums based on the faces of people in your photos. You can even search for more abstract things in your photos, like beaches. Apple will use computer vision to suggest highlight reels and photo albums from your camera roll.

Apple can also analyze videos you take and suggest edits along with where they belong in certain photo albums. Apple is calling this feature "Memories."

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Apple Maps is getting smarter too.

Like Waze, current traffic along your route will be incorporated into your turn-by-turn directions. There are new quick controls for route details like gas stations, and the app is smarter at suggesting nearby restaurants.

Developers can integrate their apps directly into Maps, which means you'll be able to reserve seats at a restaurant with OpenTable and get there using Uber — all without leaving the Maps app.

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Apple Music's interface has been completely redesigned.

For instance, the interface is much whiter with an emphasis on big, bold letters.

The app's navigation has changed too. The main Library tab lets you quickly access all of your playlists, albums, artists, and downloaded music. The second "For You" tab features Apple's curated playlists based on your likes. The third "Browse" tab includes the top music charts and new releases. The fourth "Radio" tab is dedicated to Apple's Beats 1 station. The fifth and last tab is for search.

Lyrics are now supported in Apple Music too. They can be seen under every song's playback controls.

You can finally delete built-in apps from Apple.

Apple News has been redesigned with subscriptions and breaking news notifications.

AP

You can subscribe to your favorite publications in Apple News and receive push notifications for big news stories. The app layout looks very similar to Apple Music. Apple will suggest topics for you to read based on your past reading habits.

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A new Home app lets you control all of your HomeKit-enabled smart home devices.

Apple

Apple is finally giving people one place to control all of their smart home devices that support HomeKit. You can build "scenes" to have multiple devices activate at once, like a your light bulbs and TV in a bedroom. The Home app also gives you remote access to all of your connected devices when you're away.

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Cool upgrades are coming to the Phone app, including voicemail transcription.

Apple will also let you know when a phone call from a number you don't recognize might be spam.

Apps that offer voice calling through the internet, like WhatsApp, will look like the native Phone app when you get an incoming call.

The Phone app will also support multiple phone numbers for you to be reached at, like a home and work number.

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The Messages app is getting more playful with new ways to send messages.

Apple

Web links will show previews inside your Messages conversations. The previews also work for links with audio, like a video or Apple Music link.

"Bubble effects" in Messages let you make text shake and become bigger or smaller. You can send messages that are blurred out until you swipe over them. You can also draw letters directly into the Messages app.

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You send different size messages, draw on photos, send "invisible ink" messages, and more in the new app.

Apple

The new Messages can make certain text bubbles shake, grow, shrink, and more in a conversation for a playful effect.

There are also new full-screen animations like balloons, confetti, and fireworks that take over the entire screen.

"Invisible ink" makes it so that a certain message can't be revealed until the receiver swipes over it with their finger. You can also send handwritten notes with your finger and draw on photos like Snapchat.

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You can "emojify" words in Messages.

AP

Not only are emojis in Messages three times bigger, but you can tap on words to "emojify" them — so "happy" becomes 😊.

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Other apps can now work inside Messages too.

Apple

In iOS 10 you'll be able to use all kinds of other apps inside your Messages conversations.

That means you can download sticker apps for sending stickers directly in Messages. Square Cash or Venmo could make a Messages app that lets you send money to friends inside a conversation. Or a delivery app like DoorDash can let you order food without leaving the app.

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You can turn on read receipts for individual people in the new Messages app.

Apple/Tech Insider

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The new Clocks app can remind you to go to bed and wake up every day on its own.

@edc1591 / Twitter

The redesigned Clock app in iOS 10 lets you set a weekly schedule for going to bed and waking up every day.

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Live photos are editable.

Steve Kovach/Tech Insider

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You can collaborate on notes in the Notes app.

Tech Insider

Perfect for a collaborative shopping list with your significant other.

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The public beta of iOS 10 is currently available here. The new software will be available for everyone to download this fall.

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AP